Supplier qualification

Supplier qualification assesses whether a supplier can meet a buyer's requirements before or during a trading relationship. Checks may cover production capability, product quality, delivery performance and financial stability, with the depth of assessment depending on the purchase.

Qualification criteria depend on what is being purchased and the consequences of failure. A buyer may review samples, manufacturing processes, capacity, traceability or delivery history. The assessment should cover the actual products and sites involved, because a supplier capable of making one item may not be suitable for a different specification.

For example, a packaging buyer may approve a factory only after sample cartons pass agreed tests. The factory can then enter the approved supplier list for that packaging category. Supplier onboarding handles the administrative setup, while qualification establishes why the supplier is considered capable of meeting the requirement.